Pop-Tarts are one of the most popular childhood snack options. I remember as a kid having Smores Pop-Tarts in our pantry at all times! Pop-tarts are a brand of toaster pastries that the Kellogg Company introduced back in 1964. Although these are sold as ready-to-eat, they are designed to be warmed inside a toaster or microwave oven. These delightful toaster pastries are an easy on-the-go breakfast that kids love. With over 20 different flavors available, it’s impossible to get bored. Yet, are these delectable Pop-Tarts vegan?
Unfortunately, most Pop-Tarts flavors are not vegan. Every frosted Pop-Tarts flavor contains gelatin in the frosting, while certain Pop-Tarts flavors also contain milk, eggs, or carmine. However, there are three unfrosted Pop-Tarts flavors that are vegan-friendly. The best vegan alternative to the non-vegan Pop-Tarts are Bobo’s Toaster Pastries, which are available in six different flavors.
There are currently 22 non-vegan Pop-Tart flavors available and only three vegan flavors. The three vegan flavors available include Unfrosted Blueberry, Unfrosted Strawberry, and Unfrosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon. I will share a full table of non-vegan Pop-Tart flavors for easy reference. Ready to learn more? Let’s dig in!
Contents
Are Pop-Tarts Healthy?
Is it possible for these delicious pastries to also be healthy? Unfortunately, Pop-Tarts offer little to no nutritional value. They are high in sugar, refined flours, unhealthy oils, and contain little to no protein or fiber. Pop-Tarts are a type of food that we like to consider as “empty calories.” This typically means that it is a high-calorie food, with little nutritional benefit.
When it comes to breakfast foods, it is really important to consume foods that are high in protein, healthy fats, and fiber. This is because it helps power you through your morning and provides sustained energy. If you start your morning with a high sugar breakfast, it is likely it will result in a crash of energy.
Non-Vegan Ingredients Found in Pop-Tarts
There are 5 ingredients included in Pop-Tarts that are derived from animals. These five include gelatin, eggs, milk, carmine, and confectioners glaze. Now, let’s explore these a bit.
Gelatin
This is the most prevalent animal ingredient included in Pop-Tarts. It is added in almost all Pop-Tart flavors. But, what exactly is gelatin? Gelatin is created by boiling animal bones, cartilage, and skin from mostly cows or pigs. This product is used to get the frosting or icing to stick to the pastries. Not only is gelatin used in many food products, but it is also found in cosmetics and shampoos.
Eggs
A few Pop-Tart flavors contain eggs in the form of egg whites. These are typically found in the cupcake, cookie, and brownie flavors.
Milk
Whey and milk chocolate are used in many of the Pop-Tart flavors. Some of the flavors also contain milk-derived “natural flavors”, but these are all noted on the ingredients label.
Carmine
What is Carmine? The first time I saw this on a food label, I was confused, as this sounds like a person’s name! But, carmine is actually a natural red food dye. It is derived from dried female beetles, known as Coccus cacti. This ingredient is included in the Wild Berry Pop-Tart flavor. Carmine is commonly used in juice, yogurt, and candy.
Confectioner’s Glaze
Confectioner’s glaze is another beetle-derived product! It is created from beetle excretions, also known as “shellac.” This ingredient is used in the Cherry Pop-Tarts flavor.
Non-Vegan Pop-Tart Flavors
Most Pop-Tart flavors are not vegan. You can find the nutritional content for a few of the most popular non-vegan flavors below. However, for quick reference, included below is a full list of all 22 non-vegan flavors.
All Non-Vegan Flavors
- Frosted Blueberry
- Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon
- Frosted Cherry
- Frosted Chocolate Chip
- Frosted Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- Frosted Chocolate Fudge
- Frosted Chocolate Cupcake
- Frosted Cinammon Roll
- Frosted Cookies & Creme
- Frosted Hot Fudge Sundae
- Frosted Raspberry
- Simply Frosted Harvest Strawberry
- Simply Frosted Orchard Apple Cinnamon
- Frosted S’Mores
- Frosted Strawberry
- Frosted Strawberry Milkshake
- Frosted Wild Berry
- Frosted Chocolately Churro
- Frosted Red Velvet Cupcake
- Pretzel Cinnamon Sugar
- Pretzel Chocolate
- Froot Loops Pop-Tarts
Frosted Blueberry
Ingredients:
- Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Vitamin B1 [Thiamin Mononitrate], Vitamin B2 [Riboflavin], Folic Acid)
- Corn Syrup
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Dextrose
- Soybean And Palm Oil (With Tbhq For Freshness)
- Sugar
- Bleached Wheat Flour
- Contains 2% Or Less Of Wheat Starch, Salt, Dried Blueberries, Dried Grapes, Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Dried Apples, Citric Acid, Modified Wheat Starch, Gelatin, Yellow Corn Flour, Natural And Artificial Flavor, Xanthan Gum, Soy Lecithin, Caramel Color, Cornstarch, Turmeric Extract Color, Red 40, Blue 2, Blue 1, Color Added.
Nutritional Information (per 2 pastries):
- Calories: 370
- Total Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 320mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 1g
- Total Sugars: 30g
- Protein: 3g
Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon
Ingredients:
- Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Vitamin B1 [Thiamin Mononitrate], Vitamin B2 [Riboflavin], Folic Acid)
- Sugar
- Soybean And Palm Oil (With Tbhq For Freshness)
- Corn Syrup
- Dextrose
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Bleached Wheat Flour
- Contains 2% Or Less Of Molasses, Salt, Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Cinnamon, Wheat Starch, Gelatin, Caramel Color, Soy Lecithin.
Nutritional Information (per 2 pastries):
- Calories: 400
- Total Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 340mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 68g
- Fiber: 1g
- Total Sugars: 30g
- Protein: 4g
Frosted Cherry
Ingredients:
- Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Vitamin B1 [Thiamin Mononitrate], Vitamin B2 [Riboflavin], Folic Acid)
- Corn Syrup
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Dextrose
- Soybean And Palm Oil (With Tbhq For Freshness)
- Sugar
- Bleached Wheat Flour
- Contains 2% Or Less Of Wheat Starch, Salt, Dried Cherries, Dried Apples, Citric Acid, Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Modified Wheat Starch, Gelatin, Caramel Color, Xanthan Gum, Soy Lecithin, Red 40, Natural Flavor, Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6, Carnauba Wax, Confectioner’s Glaze, Blue 1.
Nutritional Information (per 2 pastries):
- Calories: 370
- Total Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 320mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 1g
- Total Sugars: 30g
- Protein: 3g
Frosted Chocolate Chip
Ingredients:
- Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Vitamin B1 [Thiamin Mononitrate], Vitamin B2 [Riboflavin], Folic Acid)
- Sugar
- Dextrose
- Soybean And Palm Oil (With Tbhq For Freshness)
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Bleached Wheat Flour
- Corn Syrup
- Whey
- Contains 2% Or Less Of Semisweet Chocolate Chips (Sugar, Chocolate, Dextrose, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Milkfat, Vanilla), Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Milk, Cocoa Butter, Chocolate), Cocoa Processed With Alkali, Molasses, Salt, Wheat Starch, Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate), Nonfat Milk, Caramel Color, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Soy Lecithin, Natural And Artificial Flavors, Gelatin, Xanthan Gum, Datem, Yellow 6 Lake, Blue 2 Lake, Red 40 Lake, Egg Whites, Yellow 5 Lake.
Nutritional Information (per 1 pastry):
- Calories: 210
- Total Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 240mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: <1g
- Total Sugars: 18g
- Protein: 2g
Frosted Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Ingredients:
- Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Vitamin B1 [Thiamin Mononitrate], Vitamin B2 [Riboflavin], Folic Acid)
- Sugar
- Soybean And Palm Oil (With Tbhq For Freshness)
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Dextrose, Corn Syrup, Semisweet Chocolate Chips (Sugar, Chocolate, Dextrose, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Milkfat, Vanilla)
- Contains 2% Or Less Of Bleached Wheat Flour, Salt, Modified Corn Starch, Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate), Caramel Color, Nonfat Milk, Gelatin, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Cornstarch, Datem, Natural And Artificial Flavors, Xanthan Gum, Color Added, Yellow 6 Lake, Blue 2 Lake, Soy Lecithin, Red 40 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, Egg Whites, Whey.
Nutritional Information (per 1 pastry):
- Calories: 190
- Total Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 190mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: <1g
- Total Sugars: 18g
- Protein: 2g
Frosted Cinnamon Roll
Ingredients:
- Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Vitamin B1 [Thiamin Mononitrate], Vitamin B2 [Riboflavin], Folic Acid)
- Soybean And Palm Oil (With Tbhq For Freshness)
- Sugar
- Corn Syrup
- Dextrose
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Bleached Wheat Flour
- Contains Two Percent Or Less Of Molasses, Salt, Caramel Color, Wheat Starch, Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Cinnamon, Gelatin, Natural And Artificial Flavors, Soy Lecithin, Yellow 5 Lake.
Nutritional Information (per 1 pastry):
- Calories: 210
- Total Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 170mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: <1g
- Total Sugars: 13g
- Protein: 2g
Frosted Cookies & Creme
- Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Vitamin B1 [Thiamin Mononitrate], Vitamin B2 [Riboflavin], Folic Acid)
- Sugar
- Dextrose
- Soybean And Palm Oil (With Tbhq For Freshness)
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Cocoa Processed With Alkali
- Bleached Wheat Flour
- Corn Syrup
- Contains 2% Or Less Of Whey, Salt, Modified Corn Starch, Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Baking Soda), Caramel Color, Color Added, Cornstarch, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Gelatin, Egg Whites, Natural And Artificial Flavor, Soy Lecithin.
Nutritional Information (per 2 pastries):
- Calories: 360
- Total Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 470mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 67g
- Fiber: 2g
- Total Sugars: 38g
- Protein: 4g
Vegan Pop-Tart Flavors
There are currently three flavors available that are vegan! They are the only flavors that are unfrosted.
Unfrosted Blueberry
Ingredients:
- Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Vitamin B1 [Thiamin Mononitrate], Vitamin B2 [Riboflavin], Folic Acid)
- Corn Syrup
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Dextrose
- Soybean And Palm Oil (With Tbhq For Freshness)
- Bleached Wheat Flour
- Contains 2% Or Less Of Wheat Starch, Salt, Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Citric Acid, Dried Grapes, Dried Blueberries, Dried Apples, Modified Wheat Starch, Natural And Artificial Flavor, Xanthan Gum, Caramel Color, Soy Lecithin, Red 40, Blue 1, Blue 2.
Nutritional Information (per 2 pastries):
- Calories: 380
- Total Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 360mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 69g
- Fiber: 1g
- Total Sugars: 24g
- Protein: 4g
Unfrosted Strawberry
Ingredients:
- Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Vitamin B1 [Thiamin Mononitrate], Vitamin B2 [Riboflavin], Folic Acid)
- Corn Syrup
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Dextrose
- Soybean And Palm Oil (With Tbhq For Freshness)
- Bleached Wheat Flour
- Contains 2% Or Less Of Wheat Starch, Salt, Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Citric Acid, Dried Pears, Dried Apples, Dried Strawberries, Caramel Color, Xanthan Gum, Modified Wheat Starch, Soy Lecithin, Red 40, Yellow 6.
Nutritional Information (per 2 pastries):
- Calories: 380
- Total Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 360mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 69g
- Fiber: 1g
- Total Sugars: 25g
- Protein: 4g
Unfrosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon
Ingredients:
- Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Vitamin B1 [Thiamin Mononitrate], Vitamin B2 [Riboflavin], Folic Acid)
- Soybean And Palm Oil (With Tbhq For Freshness)
- Sugar
- Corn Syrup
- Dextrose
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Bleached Wheat Flour
- Contains 2% Or Less Of Molasses, Salt, Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Cinnamon, Wheat Starch, Soy Lecithin.
Nutritional Information (per 2 pastries):
- Calories: 410
- Total Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 380mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 66g
- Fiber: 2g
- Total Sugars: 24g
- Protein: 5g
Alternate Vegan Pop-Tart Brand: Bobo’s Toaster Pastries
After much research, it seems that there are basically little to no vegan toaster pastries available. Surprisingly, both Annie’s and Nature’s Path contain honey or other milk derivatives, making them not vegan friendly. On the other hand, I did find that six of Bobo’s Toaster Pastries are 100% free of animal products. And, not only are Bobo’s Toaster Pastries vegan, but they are also gluten-free, Non-GMO, Kosher, Dairy-Free, and Soy Free.
Blueberry Lemon Poppy Seed
Ingredients:
- Pastry [Organic Rolled Oats, Oat Flour, Brown Rice Syrup, Coconut Oil, Garbanzo Bean Flour, Water, Organic Brown Sugar, Glycerin, Organic Cane Sugar, Millet, Buckwheat Groats, Poppy Seeds, Salt, Citrus Fiber, Xanthan Gum, Lemon Oil, Tocopherols]
- Blueberry Filling [Cane Sugar, Organic Cane Syrup, Apple Powder, Glycerin, Blueberries, Modified Tapioca Starch, Water, Natural Flavor, Pectin, Citric Acid, Locust Bean Gum, Red Cabbage (For Color)
Nutritional Information (per 1 pastry):
- Calories: 260
- Total Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 210mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Total Sugars: 23g
- Protein: 3g
Chocolate Almond Butter Protein
Ingredients:
- Pastry [Organic Rolled Oats, Brown Rice Syrup, Oat Flour, Coconut Oil, Garbanzo Bean Flour, Water, Organic Brown Sugar, Glycerin, Organic Cane Sugar, Millet, Buckwheat Groats, Salt, Citrus Fiber, Xanthan Gum, Almond Oil, Tocopherols]
- Filling [Almond Butter, Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips [Organic Cane Sugar, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter), Oat Fiber, Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Cane Sugar]
Nutritional Information (per 1 pastry):
- Calories: 310
- Total Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 370mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 6g
- Total Sugars: 13g
- Protein: 7g
Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein
Ingredients:
- Pastry [Organic Rolled Oats, Brown Rice Syrup, Oat Flour, Coconut Oil, Garbanzo Bean Flour, Water, Organic Brown Sugar, Glycerin, Organic Cane Sugar, Millet, Buckwheat Groats, Cocoa Powder, Salt, Citrus Fiber, Xanthan Gum, Natural Vanilla Flavor, Tocopherols]
- Filling [Organic Peanut Butter, Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (Organic Cane Sugar, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter), Oat Fiber, Organic Brown Sugar, Brown Rice Syrup]
Nutritional Information (per 1 pastry):
- Calories: 320
- Total Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 280mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 6g
- Total Sugars: 13g
- Protein: 9g
Strawberry Jam
Ingredients:
- Pastry (Organic Rolled Oats, Brown Rice Syrup, Oat Flour, Coconut Oil, Water, Organic Brown Sugar, Garbanzo Bean Flour, Glycerin, Organic Cane Sugar, Millet, Buckwheat Groats, Sea Salt, Citrus Fiber, Xanthan Gum, Natural Vanilla Flavor, Tocopherols)
- Strawberry Filling (Organic Evaporated Cane Sugar, Cane Sugar, Glycerin, Modified Tapioca Starch, Water, Strawberry Puree, Apple Powder, Natural Flavor, Pectin, Citric Acid, Locust Bean Gum, Red Cabbage Extract, Annatto For Color)
Nutritional Information (per 1 pastry):
- Calories: 230
- Total Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 210mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 3g
- Total Sugars: 18g
- Protein: 3g
Apple Pie
Ingredients:
- Pastry [Organic Rolled Oats, Brown Rice Syrup, Oat Flour, Coconut Oil, Water, Organic Brown Sugar, Garbanzo Bean Flour, Vegetable Glycerin, Organic Cane Sugar, Millet, Buckwheat Groats, Sea Salt, Citrus Fiber, Natural Vanilla Flavor, Xanthan Gum, Organic Ground Cinnamon, Vitamin E (For Freshness)], Apple Filling
- [Cane Sugar, Organic Cane Syrup, Water, Vegetable Glycerin, Modified Tapioca Starch, Evaporated Apples, Natural Flavor, Citric Acid, Pectin, Locust Bean Gum, Cinnamon, Annatto And Turmeric (For Color)]
Nutritional Information (per 1 pastry):
- Calories: 230
- Total Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 180mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 3g
- Total Sugars: 21g
- Protein: 3g
Raspberry
Ingredients:
- Pastry [Organic Rolled Oats, Brown Rice Syrup, Oat Flour, Coconut Oil, Water, Organic Brown Sugar, Garbanzo Bean Flour, Vegetable Glycerin, Organic Cane Sugar, Millet, Buckwheat Groats, Sea Salt, Citrus Fiber, Natural Vanilla Flavor, Xanthan Gum, Vitamin E (For Freshness)]
- Raspberry Filling [Cane Syrup, Sugar, Vegetable Glycerin, Modified Tapioca Starch, Raspberries, Apple Powder, Water, Natural Flavor, Pectin, Citric Acid, Locust Bean Gum, Red Cabbage Extract(Color)]
Nutritional Information (per 1 pastry):
- Calories: 230
- Total Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 190mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 3g
- Total Sugars: 20g
- Protein: 3g
Related Questions
Are Pop-Tarts Gluten-Free?
Pop-tarts are NOT gluten-free. All varieties and flavors available are made with wheat flour.
Are Pop-Tarts Kosher?
The only Pop-Tarts that are kosher are the ones that do not have frosting, as they contain gelatin, which is not kosher. These are basically the same three flavors that are also vegan!